ACCOUNTING UNIT DESCRIPTIONS
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Click on a Unit Description from the list below to view:
Accounting Information Systems
Accounting Principles
Auditing and Assurance
Brand Management
Business and Corporations Law
Corporate Governance and Regulatory Processes
Economics
Finance
Financial Accounting
Financial Reporting
Introduction to Management
Management Accounting
Marketing Management
Professional Communication
Quantitative Methods
Taxation Law
Accounting Information Systems
This unit introduces students to the use and management of information systems and technologies in modern accountancy. Accounting information systems use information technology and traditional accounting controls and methods to collect and process information relating to organisational business transactions. This information becomes the basis upon which effective business decisions are made.
The unit focuses on business processes and transaction cycles, as well as systems mapping; internal control systems; database concepts; enterprise information systems; and the increasing use of e-commerce.
Accounting Principles
This unit introduces students to the basic framework and fundamental principles of accounting. The aim of the accounting cycle is to record financial activity and convert that information into a meaningful set of reports to support decision making. Students will gain an in-depth understanding of each stage of this cycle.
Auditing and Assurance
This unit examines the practice and scope of auditing and assurance services, and provides an overview of the audit process as practiced in Australia. It demonstrates the relationship between auditing and organisational systems of accountability, and identifies the special challenges for auditing as computer reporting systems grow more complex.
The unit also considers the shift from traditional auditing services in which a high level of assurance is provided to the demand for assurance of products other than the financial report. Auditing of financial statements is covered in detail.
Brand Management
In today’s commercial world where consumers are sometimes overwhelmed with product choice, ‘a brand’ is what makes one product (or service) stand out above another. Branding can be the difference between a successful product and one that fails.
This unit introduces students to the growing field of brand management – the management of a single brand to ensure its growth, consumer loyalty, and thus value to the business. It teaches students about the branding process, but also about the psychology of brands and the emotional connection that consumers have with their brands.
Business and Corporations Law
This unit deals with the complex legal system that governs commercial transactions and relationships. This is studied by commerce students because, as future business leaders, they will be affected by the law as manufacturers, marketers, employers and contractors.
One of the aims of this unit is to introduce students to the legal regulation of commerce in Australia. The unit is intended to give students an understanding of the operation of the Australian legal system generally, as well as the specific areas of law that regulate commerce including torts law, contract law, consumer protection law and workplace environemnt law.
This unit provides an introduction to the structure and regulation of corporations in Australia. It explores the relationship between the law and the corporation through relevant provisions of the Corporations Act and other relevant case law.
While many organisations such as trade unions, not-for-profit and community groups are recognised as corporation, the primary focus of the unit is on the development and regulation of the modern limited liability company.
Corporate Governance and Regulatory Processes
This unit introduces students to the current and historical structures and processes that regulate the general accounting practices in the operation of Australian organisations .
The unit discusses the principles of good corporate governance and illustrates how organisational type and structure can influence governance. It examines the roles, functions, and responsibilities of key stakeholders in corporate governance including organisational executive officers, directors, chairmen, and also shareholders and business owners.
The unit also examines issues such as executive remuneration; risk management; and globalisation and how they impact corporate governance.
Economics
The aim of this unit is to provide students with the economic literacy skills that are required by professionals, especially those in business, management and commerce, by providing opportunities to develop an understanding of the key economic principles, theories, models and laws and to use them to solve common economic problems.
The main aims of the unit are to introduce the three key aspects of economics. Hence, the unit is divided into the following three sections:
- Section one introduces students to the methods and subject material of economics. In particular, students are introduced to the methodology of economics, which differs in many respects to methodologies used by other social science disciplines, economic analysis and the nature of the economising problem
- Section two introduces students to the principles of microeconomics. The focus of this section is on developing an understanding of how markets help solve the economising problem by efficiently allocating scarce resources among competing uses
- Section three introduces students to the principles of macroeconomics. This section builds the aggregate expenditure model then the aggregate demand/aggregate supply model in order to develop an understanding of how governments stabilise the economy as a whole using a combination of monetary and fiscal policies.
Finance
This unit introduces students to the basic theories and practices of financial management as they apply to corporations, particularly with regard to investment and management decision making.
The unit also addresses issues such as the capital market; short-term and long-term finance; valuation principles; and corporate dividend strategies.
Financial Accounting
This unit aims to provide students with an understanding of the regulation of financial reporting by Australian entities, an understanding of the conceptual framework for financial reporting and a background in the requirements of key accounting standards which affect financial reporting by Australian business entities. The main aim of the unit is to enable students to identify, understand and apply accounting standards to a variety of practical situations.
Financial Reporting
This unit examines the nature of financial accounting theory, the objectives of external financial reporting and examines the Australian accounting standard-setting framework. The unit provides students with an understanding of the regulatory and reporting environment in Australia and discusses the theories and principles of financial reporting. The unit also examines issues relating to measurement and disclosure such as those relating to assets, liabilities, leases, financial instruments, and foreign currency reporting. The main aims of the course are to assist students to:
- Develop an understanding of the conceptual processes and principles associated with financial reporting in Australia
- Engage in a detailed analysis of the AASB standards and the supporting framework
- Develop logical arguments based on contemporary theory
- Critically evaluate corporate financial reporting processes
Introduction to Management
This unit is designed to provide students with a basic understanding of the nature of management, work and its organisation within the modern world. Organisations exist in a turbulent environment driven by a number of forces such as globalisation, intense competition and rapid technological change, to name a few. This unit will provide opportunities to analyse and explain how work is organised and managed in organisations.
The main aims of the unit are to:
- Define what management is
- Develop a comprehensive working definition of management as a process
- Understand management functions
- Evaluate the efficacy of approaching management through consideration of its roles
- Consider management skills and to determine whether management can be learnt.
Management Accounting
Management accounting provides managers in all types of organisations with information to assist them in decision making, planning, and control. This unit provides students with an up-to-date approach to management accounting using contemporary techniques that address the changing issues in this area.
The unit’s aims are to give students a solid grounding in the fundamentals of management accounting, and to provide them with the tools needed to analyse the impact of choices that are made in the design, implementation and operation of management accounting systems.
The main aims of the unit are to:
- Develop an understanding of cost concepts and behaviour
- Develop analytical skills for the purpose of decision making by exploring the use of resources in organisational processes
- Demonstrate an understanding of the role and use of costing reports in the management decision making process.
Marketing Management
This unit introduces students to the principles and concepts of marketing. Marketing is used by organisations of various industries in both the public and private sector. Marketing is often thought of as merely sales or advertising. Although selling and advertising are important functions, marketing also encompasses additional principles and activities.
In this unit, students will learn how to integrate marketing knowledge throughout all aspects of business. Students will learn to understand marketing as value-creation or value-adding rather than just a cost to the business.
This unit will review marketing concepts such as market research, the marketing mix and branding. There will be more focus on service-based markets in this unit to complement the overall course. We will test students’ knowledge of the fundamentals of marketing and their ability to apply marketing knowledge to solve common marketing issues facing organisations.
Professional Communication Practice
More than ever today, effective communication is an essential element of business and professional practice. It can influence decision-making, conflict management, organisational planning, and change management. However effective communication has become increasingly complex. Rapidly changing technology, globalisation, more diverse workforces, and cultural differences all affect how well individuals and businesses understand each other.
This unit introduces students to the theories and models that provide the foundation for understanding how we communicate. It considers:
- The theories of communication and how environmental factors such as culture, politics, and the use of language influence how we communicate
- The different modes of communication such as various media and technologies and how organisations and managers can overcome the barriers to effective communication and understanding
- The different ways of delivering professional communication including oral reports and presentations, communicating in groups, and professional writing.
The unit discusses the major methods of communication such as text, voice, and technology. It also considers the importance of culture on meaning and understanding, and provides an overview of the skills necessary to develop excellence in communication.
Quantitative Methods
This unit has been designed to assist students to develop the statistical skills that are used in data analysis in economics, finance and business. It will also help students to learn an equally vital skill of interpreting results and presenting them in a professional manner, thus making it easy for those from a non-business background to understand the situation.
Contrary to popular opinion, statistics is a language-rich unit of study. Using English to explain, describe and comment on various aspects of the course is very important.
The main aims of the unit are to:
- Develop statistical thinking using real data
- Stress conceptual understanding rather than mere knowledge of procedures
- Use technology for developing concepts and analysing data
- Use statistics as a problem solving tool.
Taxation Law
This unit provides students with a broad introduction to and understanding of Australian taxation law. It discusses and analyses the fundamental elements of the Australian taxation system and investigates concepts such as income; expenses and deductions; depreciation; capital gains tax; fringe benefits tax, the goods and service tax, and the administration of the tax system.
It examines taxation issues associated with partnerships, trusts, and companies including anti-avoidance provisions and dividend imputation.
The main aims of the unit are to:
- Provide students with an understanding of the fundamentals of Australian tax law with an emphasis on the taxation of individual taxpayers
- Identify the tax-related issues in particular cases
- Teach the skills necessary to understand and apply legal cases and the principles of taxation in solving tax-related problems.
These units are subject to change - please seek individual advice by contacting our office.